About Me

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

What My Kayak Sunset means

When I was kayaking I took a picture of a sunset. But it is deeper than that. There is nothing like being out on the water, just me and nature. It is peaceful and wonderful, almost as if all the cares in the world disappear. The picture that above is the picture I took.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Oh man! What is with all of this making me choose days! I *LOVE* taking pictures and so I'll need to find a good one.

Ok so instead of an artistic picture, like this one I took while on our honeymoon of Duvall Street:

Or a nature picture, like this one I took before we headed into the jungle in Belize:

I decided to show a picture that shows fun and love. This one I took during one of the blizzards we had this past winter. The husband jumped into a huge pile of snow and the dogs ran and jumped on him and licked him. They love playing in the snow.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Ok, I'll do my best with this one, but I hate keeping photos like that around.

Ok so these are the pictures I found (don't worry... they both make me sad for the same reason). When we first adopted our puppies they were 8 weeks old. A week after we got them they got sick. It seemed like a cold but then they got this crazy cherry eye. They had fevers, were dehydrated, etc. They were put in these cones, but they ended up being too small so they were put in bigger cones because they would scratch the cherry eye open and we'd have to rush to the emergency vet. Eventually, they ended up having surgery to have these tear ducts (that was what had swollen up) removed and while they were under they decided to spay them too (this wasn't scheduled until a month or so later, but they figured they would kill two birds with one stone instead of having to put them under later). Because we had just adopted them from the SPCA, all of their medical bills were covered (YAY!), but it was so hard to see them like this. Plus, once they had their energy back, there wasn't a standing chair in the house because they would chase each other and knock all of the chairs down. AHHH!!! (I think if you click on the image, you can see it larger. On the second one especially you can see Maggie's cherry eye. It was GROSS! Neither of them could close their eye! It was so sad!).

Oh and for a bit of perspective... now, one fills up the whole landing that is above them! They couldn't lay on that step if they tried anymore!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

I ran 3.2 miles!!! WAHOO! I am officially able to run a 5K without stopping! I also registered for my VERY FIRST 5K, which will be October 9th. I am running to raise awareness for eating disorders. My goal is to finish the run without having to walk. I'll worry about time in the future. I am so excited right now. Running has really become a wonderful release to me. I never thought I'd get there.

This picture was a day that Jeff and I decided to walk the rail trail near our house. It was an awesome walk together and it really was just a wonderful day. I am so glad we went!

And this is a picture of me and Jeff on my birthday (I love my birthday!) in Yellowstone. I was with my husband and my parents, in one of my favorite places on Earth, and this picture shows the hard work is paying off with running! I love how I look in this one!

Monday, August 23, 2010

You know, once again, I don't know for sure. I know that there are a few quotes that I love, but I don't know of a favorite quote. I am always looking out for new quotes. When I was a kid I used to collect quotes. I had a blank journal that I would write down quotes that I loved. I still have it somewhere. Here are a few of my favorites now:

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

"Beauty is not caused. It is." ~Emily Dickinson

"You don't know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." (Oh so true! I have really learned this one the past few years!)

Many people know I am a HUGE Patriots fan and a few years ago we had a player named Rodney Harrison (#37) who said: "There ain't nothing funny about a hungry bunch of Patriots." They were looking good the other night! I hope this will be another good year!

And of course there is: "If you can read this, thank a teacher."

So there you have it. A few of the ones that I love. If you have a quote that you love, please share with me! I am always looking for new quotes!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Ooo tough on! I am a teacher and I read CONSTANTLY. I can tell you books I've enjoyed, but I honestly don't have a favorite book.

This book is one of my all time favorite pleasure reads. It is Christian Fiction, but I love Lori Wick and I read this one every summer. It is always my first pleasure read book and it is wonderful!If you want a book that will make you think, you have to read The Help. It is wonderful! It was Kathryn Stockett's first book, and I think she did mighty fine. It takes on the views of segregation in the 1960's. It was shocking to me to read, but it was eye opening too. I think it would make a great movie! It was funny and sad. I really recommend it... oh and you'll never look at chocolate pie the same again. :)

This book is sort of a lighter version of The Help. I bought this book to read on vacation and I couldn't put it down. Definitely a great book to read and I suggest you check it out. It is Beth Hoffman's first book as well. It also takes place in the 60's (I think... I forget).

This is a great children's book that has a message! It has wonderful pictures, and I think the message (segregation) is a great one. I didn't meant to pick a theme this post. I just love this book and it is a great one for kids to read.

And what teacher can post without recommending Dr. Suess? This book was given to me twice. Once at my kindergarten graduation, and once at my high school graduation. It is a great book with an awesome message. I've come to realize that ALL of Dr. Suess's books have great messages. A lot of people just think of his books with goofy wording, etc, but read into it. They each have a great message to share!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Day 3 is so easy... or is it. Hm. Well, my favorite TV show used to be LOST! , but (sniffle, sniffle... SOB) it is over. I won't get to look into their lives anymore and try to figure out what the heck is going on.

I'm also a stickler for reality TV, but not even that is the best on TV. Really it isn't. It is pretty much the junk food of TV. You see, you have your fruits and veggies: those are the documentaries (like on the History Channel, which is a staple on the TV when my husband has the remote), health shows (not like Biggest Loser, but more like Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution). Then there is the meat: your dramas (ie- Law and Order and CSI). I might even categorize the news in this section, although a lot of the news could be considered junk food too. And then there is desert: your comedies (ie- Big Bang Theory and I'd even throw The Simpsons) in there. And then reality TV is the junk food. It is stuff to watch simply out of guilty pleasure, but really does nothing for you when you watch it.

So where does my FAVORITE TV show fall, and what is it? Well my favorite TV show I would classify as a DIVINE desert. It is the best of the best. It is that one part on the tray that they show last. You know, that tray that they bring out to show you all of the deserts to make sure you order them, and they save that one for last... you know that triple chocolate something or other that makes you drool and you just HAVE to have it (or in my mom's case, a creme brulee). MY favorite TV show is.....:

Oh yes! That's right! GLEE! Oh I love it so! It is so funny and I can't wait for it to start this fall!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Let me give you a few hints before I go and just tell you what my favorite movie #1 is (I have two... I'll tell the 2nd one later in the post).Ok so hint #1:Still not sure? Hint #2:Ok, one more hint and then I'll tell you:Ok that last one should have been a gimme... so if you haven't gotten it by now I might as well just tell you!Ok so yes, it is a kid's movie but that doesn't bother me! I ADORE this movie! It is my comfort movie. Whenever I am sick, upset, or just want to lay around and watch a movie, I put this movie in. We made sure to go to Turtle Time with Crush when we were in Disney, and on the Nemo ride. Here is a picture of me in front of the building:

OK and for my 2nd favorite movie:I love this movie for many reasons. Many of you may not know, but my husband and I met on line. We were young (ahem, 17, ahem cough cough) and dumb (so dumb that I never told my parents and then forgot that they didn't know and they found out at my bridal shower!), and this is the one time I am glad we were young and dumb (but not super dumb! I brought a friend along when we met and we met in a public spot!). This movie is just so sweet, and charming. I love the character Meg Ryan plays and how she is a very strong person. It is just a great movie, especially in the fall! I love to get a box of chocolates and a glass of wine and a blanket and watch this movie.

Ok, so there you have it. My two favorites! A close 3rd is The Holiday, but I think two is enough to talk about!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Wow, this is actually a tough one because I love all kinds of music. I always have favorite "at the moment" songs, but in a few months they will become just another song to me. They aren't my forever favorite songs. So this one involved some thought. What is one song that, no matter when or where I hear it, I have to listen to it? Hmm.

But I can't think of just one. There are a few.

As a kid I loved classical music and still do. One of the songs, which is so common, is "Pachelbell's Canon in D". I bought a tape of it when I was a kid on a vacation. It had beach sounds to it. I made my parents play the tape in the van on our vacation and all it was was that song over, and over, and over, and over, and over... and over again. They couldn't wait for me to fall asleep so they could take it out. I walked down the aisle to that song, as most brides do, but that song has special meaning to me... not just a good song to walk to.

I love the song "Home", which Michael Buble sings. It fits me. I am not completely comfortable unless I am home with the ones I love.

I love the song "Boondocks" by Little Big Town. I grew up outdoors. I am a country girl and that song suits my childhood. I can remember hunting for crawfish in the creek with my cousins and then building "homes" for them.

"When I Said I Do" by Clint Black has a special place in my heart because it is the song I danced to with the love of my life at my wedding. :)

And last, but not least, I love the song "Down by the Station". I had a student who loved this song. We would sing it every day. He is struggling with his health right now, and that song makes me think of WHY I went into education.

I love many more songs. I grew up in music and there is just so much out there. How can you pick just one? It is the same thing with color... I tell my students I don't have a favorite color, because I don't. They are all beautiful! there are some types of music I just don't do (like the screaming, creepy Marylin Manson type music, or the rap with awful lyrics (not all rap is bad)... not for me!), but there isn't much that I exclude from my mp3 player!

I got this idea from Seasons of Life. Katie got the idea from a fellow blogger as well. I think this is a neat idea and I can't wait to add to my blog by doing this! I'm going to start tonight! I can't promise I'll be able to do it every day, but I'll do my best to get in all 30. But first, here is the list (in case you are inspired to do it as well!):

I entered a giveaway on Good Mom, Bad Housewife (check out her blog! She has some cute kids!) for a pair of earrings from the Etsy shop Elsy Bleu and I am so excited because I WON and my new earrings came today! :) One thing that I really like about this store is that the earrings are sterling silver. I have a jewelry allergy and anything that is made with cheaper metals makes my ears itch other not-so-fun stuff. Sterling silver earrings don't turn my ears weird colors or make them itch, etc. I was bummed because a few weeks ago my favorite pair of earrings broke. I got so many compliments on those earrings and when they broke I almost wanted to cry (almost, but crying over broken earrings would be silly, right... right?).Ok so here is a picture of my old, favorite earrings:Well, when I entered this contest, I had a pair in mind to make up for my favorite ones and boy did they make up!First, check out the packaging it came in!And here they are!And here they are on my ear...and here they are on me!

(Please excuse the dirty dishes in the sink behind me!)

Yes, I think these earrings will do well making up for my broken favorite ones. Let's hope I have a reason to show them off soon... like a first day of school!

I recommend this etsy store! Very awesome! And they are having a sale right now so check them out!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

And before we left for a long weekend vacation, here's a hint at what I did last week:

Two blogs to come hopefully tonight!

And I picked my running back up today and it felt wonderful! My two week illness hiatus sucked and I am so glad to get back out there. I had to cut my run about a quarter mile short today beacuse of construction on my route, but it still felt wonderful and I can't wait to get out there again tomorrow!

I was very sick last week, so I decided to take some time off for my health from running. I am antsy to get started again, but I am giving myself until Monday yet. I am going crazy. I want to run, but I'm also afraid that I will lose my motivation and forget that feeling after a run. I need to make sure that next week I start running again on Monday and keep it up!

In other news, I painted my bathroom! Pictures to come! It looks awesome! I am just nervous about one area that I didn't prime and whether or not the paint will stick or if I will have to go back and prime it (along the floor) and then repaint it. We will see. I am hoping I won't have to. It isn't finished yet. We still need a new blind for the window (I'm thinking bamboo), a new sink (have it picked out! Just waiting for the $$$), and new globes for in the wall sconces. But the paint, which was the main part, is D-O-N-E! I can't wait to unveil the bathroom to family who is coming tomorrow for a celebration...

what are we celebrating? I finish my master's! I am very proud, but it is bittersweet. I wish I could be excited, but without a job, and the master's preventing me from getting a job, it is hard to celebrate and be excited even though it is an accomplishment. So for one day, I will celebrate. And then I will go back to being a Nervous Nellie (or Anxious Abbie?) as the school year approaches and I am classroom-less.